Chatswood

Population growth drivers in Chatswood are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the estimated population of the suburb of Chatswood was around 28,017 as of May 2026. This reflected an increase of 2,464 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 25,553. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimated resident population of 27,987 following examination of ABS data released in June 2025 and an additional 132 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population resulted in a density ratio of 5,592 persons per square kilometer, placing Chatswood in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 9.6% since the 2021 census exceeded both its SA4 region (5.9%) and the state level. Overseas migration contributed approximately 93.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving Chatswood's primary population growth.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilised NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations were applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to increase its population by 3,568 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 12.6% in total over the 16-year period. This trend indicates a demographic expansion just below the median of national statistical areas moving forward.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Chatswood according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, indicates that Chatswood experienced around 49 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 249 homes. As of FY-26, seven approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 people moved to the area per dwelling built each year between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. However, this figure has intensified to 17.6 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential undersupply.

Development projects averaged $932,000 in construction value, reflecting a focus on premium segment properties. This year, $30.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Chatswood records markedly lower building activity, 70.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Activity is also lower than nationally, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity shows 16.0% detached dwellings and 84.0% townhouses or apartments, focusing on higher-density living to create more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers.

With around 585 people per dwelling approval, Chatswood reflects a highly mature market. Future projections show Chatswood adding 3,538 residents by 2041, potentially outpacing current housing supply growth at prevailing development rates, which may heighten buyer competition and support price increases.

Chatswood has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 47 projects likely impacting the region. Notable ones include Chatswood Chase Redevelopment, Coronation Property Mixed-Use Development, Chatswood Grand Residences, and Hammond Greens Chatswood. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Chatswood shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Chatswood has a highly educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate was 5.5% over the past year, showing relative employment stability according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of December 2025, 14,433 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 5.5%, which is 1.3% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation in Chatswood was 63.7%, lower than Greater Sydney's 68.8%. Census responses indicated that 56.2% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Leading employment industries among residents included professional & technical services, health care & social assistance, and finance & insurance. Chatswood showed strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level but had lower representation in construction (4.4% compared to Greater Sydney's 8.6%).

The ratio of workers to residents was 0.9, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 0.3% while labour force grew by 1.0%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points in Chatswood. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.2% and labour force growth of 2.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Chatswood's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.4% over five years and 14.8% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows median income in Chatswood is $54,122 and average income is $91,234. This contrasts with Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003. Using Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Chatswood are approximately $59,707 (median) and $100,649 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals incomes in Chatswood cluster around the 73rd percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate that 30.3% of locals fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to broader trends across the area showing 30.9% in the same category. A substantial proportion, 35.0%, earn above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity. High housing costs consume 20.3% of income, but disposable income remains at the 68th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Chatswood features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Chatswood's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 27.9% houses and 72.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Chatswood stood at 27.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.8% and rented dwellings at 52.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,858, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Chatswood was recorded at $577, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Chatswood's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Chatswood features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 70.6% of all households, including 33.1% couples with children, 25.5% couples without children, and 10.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.4%, with lone person households at 24.0% and group households comprising 5.3%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Chatswood demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Chatswood's residents aged 15+ have a higher proportion with university qualifications (58.0%) compared to Australia (30.4%) and New South Wales (NSW) (32.2%). Bachelor degrees are the most common (35.6%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (19.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational pathways account for 17.4% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 10.1% and certificates at 7.3%. Educational participation is high, with 31.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 8.9% in primary education, 8.2% in tertiary education, and 7.1% pursuing secondary education.

Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Chatswood has 121 active public transport stops operating within it. These include train, light rail, and bus services. There are 100 individual routes serving these stops, collectively providing 21,637 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in the area is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 130 meters from their nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transportation at 50%, followed by train at 21% and walking at 17%.

Vehicle ownership averages 0.6 per dwelling, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a high 56.2% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 3,091 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 178 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

Chatswood's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Chatswood's health outcomes show excellent results based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are very low across all age groups. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 63% of the total population (17,625 people), compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 4.4 and 4.2% of residents respectively. 81.5% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the 74.6% in Greater Sydney. Chatswood has 14.8% of residents aged 65 and over (4,146 people). Health outcomes among seniors are strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

Chatswood is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Chatswood, as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census Data from June 2016, has a high level of cultural diversity with 63.7% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 64.3% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Chatswood, accounting for 34.1% of people, while Buddhism stands out as overrepresented at 7.6%, compared to Greater Sydney's average of 4.1%. In terms of ancestry, Chinese is the most represented group at 36.5%, significantly higher than the regional average of 8.4%.

Other and English follow with 14.5% and 11.8% respectively, the latter being notably lower than the regional average of 19.0%. Notable divergences also exist in Korean (4.7% vs 1.1%), Russian (0.4% vs 0.4%) and Indian (3.8% vs 3.6%) representation compared to Greater Sydney averages.

Chatswood's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Chatswood's median age is 36 years, nearly matching Greater Sydney's average of 37 years, which is slightly below the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Chatswood has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (18.3%) but fewer residents aged 0-4 (3.6%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 11.0% to 14.2%, while the 25-34 cohort has increased from 16.6% to 18.3%. Conversely, the 0-4 age group has declined from 5.0% to 3.6%, and the 35-44 age group has dropped from 18.1% to 17.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Chatswood's age profile will change significantly. The 45-54 cohort is projected to grow by 22%, adding 812 residents to reach a total of 4,427. In contrast, both the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are expected to decrease in number.